Protective helmet having a cover plate knock out assembly

Abstract

A protective helmet having a cover plate over a front vision area and a cover plate knock out assembly for moving the cover plate a predetermined distance away from the helmet so that a finger of a user can get behind the cover plate to enable its removal from the front vision area of the helmet. The cover plate knock out assembly comprises a step-shaped actuator element and a light blocking cover. The upper portion of the step-shaped actuator pushes the cover plate away from the helmet when the lower portion of the step-shaped actuator is pressed. The cover plate made of clear plastic includes a spring tendency when slightly compressed when attached to the helmet thereby pushing the upper portion of the step-shaped actuator into a resting position in the helmet.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cover plate knock out assembly for attaching to a protective helmet comprising:
 a step-shaped actuator; 
 a light blocking cover for securing said step-shaped actuator in said protective helmet wherein an end of said slide portion rests adjacent to a lower portion of a cover plate of said helmet; 
 a land extending from a wall of said light blocking cover for supporting said step-shaped actuator; 
 a U-shaped upper snap lock protruding from an upper portion of said wall of said light blocking cover for securing said upper portion of said light blocking cover to said protective helmet; and 
 a wedge shaped lower snap lock protruding upward from a bottom wall of said light blocking cover for securing said lower portion of said light blocking cover to said protective helmet. 
 
     
     
       2. The cover plate knock out assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said upper portion of said step-shaped actuator extends upward from an end of said lower portion forming a right angle and extending away from said end of said lower portion a predetermined distance. 
     
     
       3. The cover plate knock out assembly as recited in  claim 1  wherein said light blocking cover plate comprises an opening for said lower portion of said step-shaped actuator to extend through.